The present invention relates to a microfluidic assay system and associated reading device, as well as the individual components themselves. The present invention also relates to methods of conducting assays, using a disposable system and associated reading device, as well as kits for conducting assays.

A sensor for liquid biopsy, its method of making, and its method of non-invasive use. The sensor includes a substrate with a surface functionalized with biotinylated antibodies. The biotinylated antibodies are arranged to engage with surface proteins on exosomes associated with malignant cancer cells such as glioma cells.

A method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object comprises the steps of (a) bringing at least one nozzle in a first position close to a surface of a substrate, (b) delivering through said at least one nozzle at least one reactant to said surface, (c) effecting a solid forming reaction of said at least one delivered reactant such that said at least one delivered reactant undergoes a transition to become a growing solid deposit on said surface under said at least one nozzle, and (d) detecting an interaction of said growing solid deposit with said at least one nozzle.

The present invention relates to a microfluidic assay system and associated reading device, as well as the individual components themselves. The present invention also relates to methods of conducting assays, using a disposable system and associated reading device, as well as kits for conducting assays.

The invention relates to a micro cantilever beam sensor and making method, including a chip, and its character: there is at least a group of sensor cells set on the chip, where the sensor cell is composed of the completely same four force-sensitive resistors composing a Wheatstone bridge and two cantilever beams, two of these resistors are on the substrate of the chip, the other two are on the two cantilever beams, respectively, one cantilever beam acts on a measuring cantilever beam and the other one acts on a reference cantilever beam, and the measuring cantilever beam is set with a sensitive layer on the surface. It can design and prepare in a liquid-flow micro-tank by front etching and silicon-glass bonding techniques, to directly detect liquid biomolecule. Whether applied to gas sensor or biosensor, it will play an important role in reducing device size, enhancing device sensitivity and realizing sensor multi-functionality. It has wide prospects for the fields of environment monitoring, clinic diagnosis and therapy, new drug development, food safety, industrial processing control, military and so on.

A microfluidic probe head for providing a sequence of separate liquid volumes separated by spacers, the separate liquid volumes including a respective target substance associated with a respective target area, the microfluidic probe head including an inlet and an outlet; a first fluid channel fluidly connected to the inlet, the first fluid channel configured for delivering an injection liquid from the inlet to a respective target area; a second fluid channel fluidly connected to the outlet, the second fluid channel configured for delivering liquid volumes from the respective target area to the outlet; and a spacer insertion unit fluidly connected to the second fluid channel, the spacer insertion unit configured for inserting spacers into the second fluid channel between the liquid volumes to provide the sequence of separate liquid volumes separated by spacers.

A microfluidic probe head for providing a sequence of separate liquid volumes separated by spacers, the separate liquid volumes including a respective target substance associated with a respective target area, the microfluidic probe head including an inlet and an outlet; a first fluid channel fluidly connected to the inlet, the first fluid channel configured for delivering an injection liquid from the inlet to a respective target area; a second fluid channel fluidly connected to the outlet, the second fluid channel configured for delivering liquid volumes from the respective target area to the outlet; and a spacer insertion unit fluidly connected to the second fluid channel, the spacer insertion unit configured for inserting spacers into the second fluid channel between the liquid volumes to provide the sequence of separate liquid volumes separated by spacers.

A microfluidic probe head for providing a sequence of separate liquid volumes separated by spacers, the separate liquid volumes including a respective target substance associated with a respective target area, the microfluidic probe head including an inlet and an outlet; a first fluid channel fluidly connected to the inlet, the first fluid channel configured for delivering an injection liquid from the inlet to a respective target area; a second fluid channel fluidly connected to the outlet, the second fluid channel configured for delivering liquid volumes from the respective target area to the outlet; and a spacer insertion unit fluidly connected to the second fluid channel, the spacer insertion unit configured for inserting spacers into the second fluid channel between the liquid volumes to provide the sequence of separate liquid volumes separated by spacers.

The invention relates to a micro cantilever beam sensor and making method, including a chip, and its character: there is at least a group of sensor cells set on the chip, where the sensor cell is composed of the completely same four force-sensitive resistors composing a Wheatstone bridge and two cantilever beams, two of these resistors are on the substrate of the chip, the other two are on the two cantilever beams, respectively, one cantilever beam acts on a measuring cantilever beam and the other one acts on a reference cantilever beam, and the measuring cantilever beam is set with a sensitive layer on the surface. It can design and prepare in a liquid-flow micro-tank by front etching and silicon-glass bonding techniques, to directly detect liquid biomolecule. Whether applied to gas sensor or biosensor, it will play an important role in reducing device size, enhancing device sensitivity and realizing sensor multi-functionality. It has wide prospects for the fields of environment monitoring, clinic diagnosis and therapy, new drug development, food safety, industrial processing control, military and so on.

The present invention relates to a microfluidic assay system and associated reading device, as well as the individual components themselves. The present invention also relates to methods of conducting assays, using a disposable system and associated reading device, as well as kits for conducting assays.